Drink distribution system for poultry

ABSTRACT

For the watering of courtyard animals, and particularly of poultry, valves are mounted with their inlet connected to a distributing pipe and their outlet permitting the dripping of some water, in such a position as to allow the watering of the said animals. The valves are provided with a depending nipple adapted to be operated by the same animal wishing to drink. At each nipple operation, the outflow of a very limited quantity of water, i.e. that contained in the valve body, is permitted, while the connection of the valve inlet with the distributing pipe is practically intercepted by a plug, until the valve outlet is open.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mirella Floretto 15 Via Casagrande,S. Quirino, Pordenone, Italy [21] Appl. No. 810,482

[22] Filed Mar. 26, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 31, 1971 [32] Priority Apr.1, 1968, Oct. 29,1968

[33] Italy [31 6923A and 7443A 54] DRINK DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR POULTRY1,454,284 5/1923 Holmes 119/72.5 UX

Primary Examiner Hugh R. Cham blee Attorney-Paul H. Smolka ABSTRACT: Forthe watering of courtyard animals, and particularly of poultry, valvesare mounted with their inlet connected to a distributing pipe and theiroutlet permitting the dripping of some water, in such a position as toallow the watering of the said animals. The valves are provided with adepending nipple adapted to be operated by the same animal wishing todrink. At each nipple operation, the outflow of a very limited quantityof water, i.e. that contained in the valve body, is permitted, while theconnection of the valve inlet with the distributing pipe is practicallyintercepted by a plug, until the valve outlet is open.

PATENTED M1831 I9?! SHEET 2 [IF 2 Inv t r MIRELLA FIORET'IO AttorneyDRINK DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR POULTRY This invention relates to a nipplevalve particularly adapted for watering fowls and other courtyardanimals, particularly in large breedings where it is to be avoided thatthe drinking water may be kept at disposal of the animals in opencontainers or troughs, subject to pollution and which therefore are asource of epidemics.

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved type ofnipple valve which is easy to be mounted, dismounted and cleaned andwhich, when operated by the animal wanting to be watered, permits theoutlet from a closed piping of a quantity of drinking water, which isnot in excess of that wanted by the animal, which is usually compelledto actuate a number of times the control nipple for receiving therequired total amount of water, thus avoiding splashing.

The nipple valve according to the invention is further so constructedasto be readily fitted onto a suitable distributing drink water pipingwith a valve-control nipple projecting downwardly as usual, in aposition to be easily operated by the animal wanting to drink. When itis opened by operation of the nipple, it permits the outflow of a verylimited amount of water (usually few drops) although it remainsconnected to a water main or pipe connected to the outlet of a reservoirand a vent tube.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will be describedhereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of part of an installation permitting thewatering of fowls by means of nipple valves fitted on awater-distributing pipe;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of an embodiment of a nipplevalve fastened to a first embodiment of valve holder mounted on awater-distributingpipe;

FIG. 3 shows also in vertical section a variation of the embodiment ofnipple valve as shown in FIG. 1, and

FIGS. 4 and 5 show in vertical section and in front elevation,respectively, a further embodiment of nipple valve and valve holderfitted on to a water-distributing pipe.

In FIG. 1 there are shown diagrammatically the essential parts of adrinkable water-distributing installation, as usually provided in largepoultry or other courtyard animals (such as rabbits) breeding farms. Theinstallation substantially comprises a water reservoir R provided withsingle or multiple cock connected to one or more water-distributingmains in the drawing a single cock C connected to a singlewater-distributing main P is shown. Each main P is provided with one ormore T-joints T each of which serves for connecting the main pipe P to awater-distributing pipe W to which a row of animal watering valves 1 isconnected (of which only one is visible on the drawing) each valve beingprovided with a valve-operating member N. The valves 1 are fitted insuch a position as to permit to a fowl or other animal to be watered toopen same by acting upon said operating member N. The main P may beconnected by means of a L-joint to an upright vent tube. Installationsof this kind are employedin large courtyard animal breeding farms.

Referring now to FIG. 2, 1 is a nipple valve which comprises atumbler-shaped body 3 provided at its bottom with a through hole 103constituting the valve outlet. The valve is closed by a cover 2 providedat its top with a projecting screw-threaded plug 302 provided with athrough bore 102 extending also through the cover 2 and constituting thevalve inlet. The cover is provided with depending resilient armsprovided at their ends with clamping teeth 202,'while the tumbler-shapedbody 3 is provided with a projecting rim '203 having a sawteethlikeprofile, in-cross section, so as to coact with the clamping teeth 202and'engage the cover 2 above the body 3. Between the body rim and thecorresponding part of the cover a packing ring 7 in inserted.

Inside the saidbody the valve proper is mounted. This comprises aslidable valve member 4 mounted with a certain clearance within the body3 and provided with a tumblershaped plug holder 104 in which the lowerpart of a plugshaped weight 6 is fitted, whose top section issubstantially frustoconical and, in closed position, projects with aslight clearance into the cover bore 102.

Under the holder 104 there is a'projecting stem 204 ending with a gasketbacking plate 304 integral therewith. From the center of this plate 304the valve-control nipple N projects and on the rear part of this nipplea packing washer 8 is fitted while in correspondence of this washer, anannular ridge 303 projects from the inside of the valve body bottom, sothat when the valve is in its rest position, the packing washer 8 ispressed against the ridge 303 and prevents any water flow towards thevalve outlet 103.

Through this bore passes with a sufficient clearance the valve-operatingnipple N so that when this nipple is tilted by the beak or muffle of theanimal wanting to drink from the valve, the water contained in thetumbler 3 is allowed to leak past the ridge 303 in correspondence of theupwardly tilted washer 8 and to flow along the nipple N so as to collectitself dropwise at the nipple end. At the same time the outlet end ofbore 102 is practically, if not completely, closed by the plug 6, sothat practically no water is allowed to flow from tube W into the valvebody 3, until the full clearance space is reestablished between the topof the plug 6 and the corresponding part of bore 102.

The valve as shown in FIG. 3 differs from that as shown in FIG. 2 inthat the gasket backing plate 34 is not integral with the stem dependingfrom the plug holder 104 but is in form of supporting pin 404 bearinginto a shallow recess of plate 304. By this arrangement, when the nippleN is tilted, plate 304 transmits the corresponding movement in form ofan axial push on pin 404, and plug 6, which is thus lifted so that itsconical end is plugged into the end of bore 102, thus prevent ing anysubstantial flow of water into the valve body, while the water containedtherein is allowed to drip out from nipple N.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of nipple valve and attachmentmeans therefor. According to this embodiment, in the valve body 3, thetumbler-shaped member 104 is provided, like that shown in FIG. 3, with apin-shaped stem 404 bearing upon plate 304 provided with the dependingnipple N.

In the tumbler 104 a pressure coil spring is mounted, which bearsagainst the underside of a block 402 constituting the cover of the valvebody 3, to which it is connected by means of clamping arms 202 snappingwith their end hooks under an undercut shoulder 203. The tumbler mayalso be provided with an axially extending plug 106 which acts like theconical end of the weight 6, in the same manner as the plug in the otherembodiments as shown'in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The cover block 402 may be provided with a slightly conical tubularextension 502 which may be simply inserted into a bore ofwater-distributing pipe W, the tightness of the joint being assured byapacking ring 11 fitted upon the tubular extension 502 and squeezedbetween the base of this extension and the walls around the hole in thepipe W. The cover block,

which may be of plastic material, is maintained tightly pressed againstthe underside of pipe W by an elastic strap 10 provided with inwardlyprojecting clamping teeth 110 which may be snapped into correspondingnotches of block 402.

The last described construction, due to the absence of screw-threadedparts-and to theuse of a spring (whose force may be chosen according torequirements) may be made completely of plastic material and rubber andtherefore is very cheap, easy to clean and tomount on and dismount'fromthe distributing pipe W.

'Of course, the invention may undergo numerous changes, withoutdeparting from the basic principle thereof. Thus the attachment systemshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be employed also for valves like those shownin FIGS. 2 and 3 and, on the other hand, a pressure spring and an axialplug may be employed also in valves provided with a tubularscrew-threaded nipple 102.

Iclaim:

1. A drink distribution system for poultry, comprising in combination:

a drink supply pipe having a plurality of spaced outlet positions alongthe wall of the pipe,

each outlet position comprising one opening in the pipe wall,

a plurality of tubular members, each tubular member having a lowermostend and an uppermost end, the uppermost end of which is secured to thepipe so as to communicate with each opening,

means for securing said uppermost end of said tubular member to thepipe,

means for mounting to the lowermost end of said tubular member a selfclosing valve operable by a bird's beak, the

said valve comprising;

a valve body having an uppermost portion and a lowermost portion, theuppermost portion of said valve body being connected to the lowermostportion of said tubular member,

a water inlet at the uppermost portion of said valve body communicatingwith said tubular member,

a first valve seat provided on the lowermost end of said tubular member,

a first valve member which may be lifted and lowered with respect tosaid first valve seat so as to close or open the first valve member,

a water outlet at the lowermost portion of said valve body,

a second valve seat provided on the lowermost portion of said valvebody,

a valve disc tiltable with respect to said second valve seat,

means for operatively connecting said valve disc to said first valvemember so as to lift said first valve member to its closed position withrespect to said first valve seat each time the said valve disc is tiltedwith respect to said second valve seat,

means for urging said valve disc against said second valve seat and forurging said first valve member clear from said first valve seat, and

means for tiltably urging said valve disc from said second valve seat.

2. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinthe means for urging said valve disc against said second valve seat andfor urging said first valve member clear from said first valve seat is aweight.

3. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1,wherein:

the first valve member, and

the means for urging said valve disc against said second valve seat andfor urging said first valve member clear from said first valve seat arethe same, being a weight pro vided at its top with a projecting partwhich engages said first valve seat whenever the valve disc is urgedfrom said second valve seat, so as to substantially intercept thecommunication between the said water inlet and the interior of the valvebody. I

4. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinthe means for urging said valve disc against said second valve seat andfor urging said first valve member clear from said first valve seat is aspring.

5. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinsaid spring is a coil spring which is coaxial to said first valvemember.

6. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinthe means for tiltably urging said valve disc from said second valveseat comprises a rod connected to said valve disc and projecting fromsaid water outlet.

7. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinthe first valve member is integrally connected to the valve disc.

8. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinthe means for operatively connecting said valve disc to said first valvemember so as to lift said first valve member to its closed position withrespect to said first valve seat each time the sal valve disc is tiltedwith respect to said second valve seat comprises:

a bearing member connected to said valve disc,

a stem depending from said first valve member, said stem I bearingagainst said bearing member in such a manner that any tilting of thevalve disc is transformed into a substantially axial shifting of thesaid depending stem and the first valve member connected thereto.

9. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinthe means for securing said tubular member to the opening in the supplypipe comprises screw threads.

10. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1,wherein the means for securing said tubular member to the opening in thesupply pipe comprises:

an annular packing gasket fitted around said tubular member, and

clamping means for holding said tubular member against said supply pipe.

11. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 10,wherein said clamping means comprises a.strap fitting around said supplypipe and hooking into corresponding projecting parts on said tubularmember.

12. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1,wherein the means for mounting to the lowermost end of said tubularmember a self-closing valve operable by a birds beak comprises:

spring arms provided at their ends with hooklike means snapping undercorresponding projecting parts of the valve body.

13. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 12,wherein said spring arms are part of said tubular member.

14. A nipple valve adapted to be operated by small courtyard animals,and particularly poultry, and adapted to dispense a very limited amountof water at each operation, so as to avoid water waste and splashing,said valve comprising a tumbler-shaped body provided with a through holeat its bottom and a cover therefor, the cover being provided with awater inlet port and a valve seat and adapted to be connected to awater-distributing pipe;

an annular valve seat surrounding the said bottom at the valve bodyinterior; and

a valve mounted at the interior of said body, bearing in rest positionon said annular valve seat and provided with a depending nippletraversing with a substantial clearance the bottom hole of the valvebody, said valve being pressed against said annular seat by means of acoil spring and a tumbler, the coil spring being positioned between thecover and the tumbler, and coaxially to said spring the tumbler isprovided with an upstanding plug which, when the valve is opened bytilting its depending nipple, substantially intercepts the communicationbetween the water inlet port and the interior of the valve body byengaging the valve seat provided on the cover.

1. A drink distribution system for poultry, comprising in combination: adrink supply pipe having a plurality of spaced outlet positions alongthe wall of the pipe, each outlet position comprising one opening in thepipe wall, a plurality of tubular members, each tubular member having alowermost end and an uppermost end, the uppermost end of which issecured to the pipe so as to communicate with each opening, means forsecuring said uppermost end of said tubular member to the pipe, meansfor mounting to the lowermost end of said tubular member a self closingvalve operable by a bird''s beak, the said valve comprising; a valvebody having an uppermost portion and a lowermost portion, the uppermostportion of said valve body being connected to the lowermost portion ofsaid tubular member, a water inlet at the uppermost portion of saidvalve body communicating with said tubular member, a first valve seatprovided on the lowermost end of said tubular member, a first valvemember which may be lifted and lowered with respect to said first valveseat so as to close or open the first valve member, a water outlet atthe lowermost portion of said valve body, a second valve seat providedon the lowermost portion of said valve body, a valve disc tiltable withrespect to said second valve seat, means for operatively connecting saidvalve disc to said first valve member so as to lift said first valvemember to its closed position with respect to said first valve seat eachtime the said valve disc is tilted with respect to said second valveseat, means for urging said valve disc against said second valve seatand for urging said first valve member clear from said first valve seat,and means for tiltably urging said valve disc from said second valveseat.
 2. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1,wherein the means for urging said valve disc against said second valveseat and for urging said first valve member clear from said first valveseat is a weight.
 3. A drink distribution system for poultry accordingto claim 1, wherein: the first valve member, and the means for urgingsaid valve disc against said second valve seat and for urging said firstvalve member clear from said first valve seat are the same, being aweight provided at its top with a projecting part which engages saidfirst valve seat whenever the valve disc is urged from said second valveseat, so as to substantially intercept the communication between thesaid water inlet and the interior of the valve body.
 4. A drinkdistriBution system for poultry according to claim 1, wherein the meansfor urging said valve disc against said second valve seat and for urgingsaid first valve member clear from said first valve seat is a spring. 5.A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1, whereinsaid spring is a coil spring which is coaxial to said first valvemember.
 6. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 1,wherein the means for tiltably urging said valve disc from said secondvalve seat comprises a rod connected to said valve disc and projectingfrom said water outlet.
 7. A drink distribution system for poultryaccording to claim 1, wherein the first valve member is integrallyconnected to the valve disc.
 8. A drink distribution system for poultryaccording to claim 1, wherein the means for operatively connecting saidvalve disc to said first valve member so as to lift said first valvemember to its closed position with respect to said first valve seat eachtime the said valve disc is tilted with respect to said second valveseat comprises: a bearing member connected to said valve disc, a stemdepending from said first valve member, said stem bearing against saidbearing member in such a manner that any tilting of the valve disc istransformed into a substantially axial shifting of the said dependingstem and the first valve member connected thereto.
 9. A drinkdistribution system for poultry according to claim 1, wherein the meansfor securing said tubular member to the opening in the supply pipecomprises screw threads.
 10. A drink distribution system for poultryaccording to claim 1, wherein the means for securing said tubular memberto the opening in the supply pipe comprises: an annular packing gasketfitted around said tubular member, and clamping means for holding saidtubular member against said supply pipe.
 11. A drink distribution systemfor poultry according to claim 10, wherein said clamping means comprisesa strap fitting around said supply pipe and hooking into correspondingprojecting parts on said tubular member.
 12. A drink distribution systemfor poultry according to claim 1, wherein the means for mounting to thelowermost end of said tubular member a self-closing valve operable by abird''s beak comprises: spring arms provided at their ends with hooklikemeans snapping under corresponding projecting parts of the valve body.13. A drink distribution system for poultry according to claim 12,wherein said spring arms are part of said tubular member.
 14. A nipplevalve adapted to be operated by small courtyard animals, andparticularly poultry, and adapted to dispense a very limited amount ofwater at each operation, so as to avoid water waste and splashing, saidvalve comprising a tumbler-shaped body provided with a through hole atits bottom and a cover therefor, the cover being provided with a waterinlet port and a valve seat and adapted to be connected to awater-distributing pipe; an annular valve seat surrounding the saidbottom at the valve body interior; and a valve mounted at the interiorof said body, bearing in rest position on said annular valve seat andprovided with a depending nipple traversing with a substantial clearancethe bottom hole of the valve body, said valve being pressed against saidannular seat by means of a coil spring and a tumbler, the coil springbeing positioned between the cover and the tumbler, and coaxially tosaid spring the tumbler is provided with an upstanding plug which, whenthe valve is opened by tilting its depending nipple, substantiallyintercepts the communication between the water inlet port and theinterior of the valve body by engaging the valve seat provided on thecover.